"Harry?"

I turn over to feel out on the bed beside me, searching for Harry but finding nothing. I sigh and finally open my eyes, blinking multiple times to wake myself up. I sit up slowly and stretch my arms over my head. I slowly swing my legs over the side of the bed and throw my hair up in a messy bun as I walk towards the stairs. I like waking up here. It feels so natural for me. I get to the top of the stairs and finally find Harry, standing with his back to me and only wearing a pair of boxers. The muscles in his back contract slightly under his skin as he moves around in front of the stove. He's perfect.

I slowly and silently start to walk down the stairs, tugging at the hem of Harry's shirt. I'm not the kind of person to be shy or self conscious, but I've never seen someone with such a perfect body. I mean I can't find one single flaw. If I didn't like tattoos that would be it, but they're sexy as hell on him. When I get to the bottom of the staircase I walk on my tip-toes to get to him. I slyly slide my arms around his waist he jumps a little before relaxing against my touch. I lean my cheek against his back and lock my hands over his stomach.

"Hi," I greet quietly.

"Good morning," he says happily. I can hear the smile in his voice and it makes me feel like giggling. "Sleep well?"

"I did." I keep my arms around him and shift to his side. He lifts one arm around my shoulders while the other tends to some sort of egg dish he has in a frying pan. "What are you making?"

"It's a family recipe. Top secret," he says, hugging my tight to him and pressing his lips to my forehead.

"Looks like eggs with some vegetables," I tease, tilting my head up to look at him. He smiles and puts his spatula on the counter and puts both around tight around me.

"There are two secret ingredients," he informs me. "I cannot tell you what they are so don't bother asking."

"Whatever you say."

"I made coffee," he says, nodding towards the pot on the other side of me. "This will be ready in two minutes."

"You didn't have to make me breakfast."

"I wanted to. You've stayed here a bunch of times but I haven't made you breakfast before."

"That's really sweet," I say, swooning internally. He smiles and unwraps one arm to tend to the eggs. "How do you take your coffee again?"

"Just sugar," he says casually. He walks over to the toaster and takes out the bread that's just popped up, smearing butter on it and setting it on two plates. I tend to the coffee and when I'm done he's setting two very full plates on the table. He gets out some silverware, two cups and a jug of juice. I set the mugs down and sit down in one of the chairs; he joins me.

"This looks amazing," I compliment, my mouth watering at the sight of the food in front of me. I don't know what Harry put in the eggs, but it looks delicious. There's also five pieces of bacon and two slices of toast. "Umm...how much do you think I eat?"

He laughs and lifts his mug to his lips. "I know it's a lot. I wasn't really paying attention. Just eat what you can." He takes a sip from his mug and his face twists slightly.

"Not the right amount of sugar?" I guess. He shrugs and sets it down again. I just laugh. "Harry, if it's bad don't drink it."

"It's not," he says, smiling warmly at me.

"Do you want a new cup? More sugar?"

"More sugar," he agrees. He smiles apologetically and I laugh again, standing to retrieve the sugar from the counter. I set it down beside him and watch him shovel more in it.

"Were you really going to drink it?"

"If this food tastes horrible are you still going to eat it?" he counters, one eyebrow raised. He has a point.

"Probably," I laugh.

"Then there you have it," he says. I pick up my fork but he puts his hand on mine. I'm about to ask what he's doing but he answers the question with his actions, standing and pulling me up as well. He gently takes my face between his hands and presses a soft but passionate kiss to my lips. I'm left lightheaded when he pulls back. He sets me back in my chair and sits down as well.

"Alright, go ahead," he says. I take a shaky break and slowly pick up my fork. He takes another sip of his coffee, which he is now satisfied with. I can feel Harry's eyes on me as I take a bite of my breakfast. As soon as it hits my tongue I love it. Harry's right; even if it had been horrible, I would have eaten it and enjoyed every bite. Because he made it for me.

"It's so good," I compliment, shovelling into my mouth. He watches me with a small smile and I start feeling self-conscious. "Aren't you going to eat?" He shakes his head a little and picks up his fork.

"Right," he says, laughing lightly. "So what are you doing today?"

"I've been neglecting Kylie a little, so I think we might go to the boardwalk," I tell him. He nods and I feel instantly guilty about not saying that the boys will probably be there, meaning Troy. I'll probably invite Carter as well, but I don't know if that would make it better or worse for Harry. So maybe I just won't tell him any of it.

"That sounds like fun," he says. I nod.

"What are your plans?"

He shrugs. "I have some work to do. Liam and I talked about doing something. Sofia will probably be there."

I hate this. I hate that we have to have separate lives during the day. I feel like in the daylight I'm just trying to find ways to keep myself busy until I can come back here to see him.

"How many tattoos do you have?" I ask, changing the subject. He chuckles and stares at me for a few seconds before looking down at his arm and torso with a shrug.

"I have no idea. Forty? Maybe a few more," he says casually. I practically choke on my coffee, sputtering a few coughs as I set my my mug down.

"Forty?" I ask in disbelief. He shrugs again and stuffs more food in his mouth.

"Some of them are quite small. Do you have any?"

"I umm..I couldn't get one yet," I admit quietly. He furrows his eyebrows.

"Why not? Your parents don't like them?"

"They wouldn't even notice. In California you have to be eighteen to get a tattoo." I look down at my plate and he sighs in understanding.

"It's weird when you really think about it," he states plainly. I shrug. "Not weird, just...it's crazy that this is actually so wrong to most people because of your age. Or mine, however you look at it. But it just feels...right."

I lift my eyes to his and feel myself shrink slightly at the intensity of his gaze. Technically I guess five years isn't that big of a deal, but that combined with the whole teacher thing makes it a little bit inappropriate.

"Anyway," he continues, putting more food in his mouth. "Do you want to come over tonight?"

"I do. I have to talk to Carter, though. He told me he's dropping out of school and moving back home and quitting basketball and then I left last night, so I need to talk to him."

"Wow. Sounds like a lot of stuff," he says. "Who is he again?"

"He's a friend."

"A friend like Troy?" My gaze snaps to his and my face turns red. He closes his eyes briefly and shakes his head. "Shit, sorry. I didn't mean for that to come out like that."

"He's like my brother," I clarify. "When my parents started going away all the time his took me and Mason in. We practically lived at their house."

"You've never dated him?"

"Nope."

I hear him sigh and his whole posture relaxes. Feeling completely fully, I set my fork down and move over to him, setting myself on his lap and putting one arm around his neck while my other hand rests against his cheek.

"You trust me, don't you?" I ask quietly. I'm afraid for the answer; if I was Harry I wouldn't even be close to trust me. We both know I haven't really given him a reason to.

"I do," he says carefully.

"But?"

"There's no but, Savannah. I trust you. I don't trust other boys because apparently they can't keep away. You attract guys like a moth to a bloody flame. I can't even attempt to keep them away because that would require us going public and that's not really possible."

"Slow down," I say, laughing a little at how frantic he sounds. He closes his eyes and leans his head against my shoulder. I've really messed up with him. "I don't want anyone else, Harry."

"Why not?"

"What?"

He lifts his head and removes my hand from his cheek, playing with my fingers and staring down at our hands.

"If I were you I would want to be with Troy or Carter or whoever else wants you. I can't be with you the way they can. We can't even go on a normal date. It kills me that I can't treat you the way you deserve to be treated."

"But you do," I argue. "You treat me better than anyone else ever has."

"In here," he says, laughing darkly and looking around the loft. "That shouldn't be enough for you. You deserve a normal relationship, one that I can't give you."

"You will be able to eventually," I argue quietly. He's not doing this right now...

"Yeah." He trails off in his own train of thought and I'm left to decipher his facial expressions.

"Harry, we're okay, right?" I ask nervously. His eyes meet mine and his body softens instantly, pulling me close.

"I'm not walking away, trust me. I'm just thinking that eventually you're going to want to. That's going to be a shitty day for me." He smiles sadly and my heart breaks a little. I don't know why he thinks this way, but it kills me. Harry is more than enough for me, whether it's in the confines of this apartment or outside around other people. I only want him and I don't see that changing, not ever. It's not going to be easy but I'm not going to take off just because it's a little bit complicated. Okay, a lot complicated. But still. I'm not leaving.

"This is the only relationship that I want," I say firmly. He sighs and I put my hands on either side of his face to make him look at me. "I'm serious."

"Savannah-"

"No, listen to me. I know I've been really stupid about all of this, but if I was going to run or leave I would have done it already. I couldn't leave you even if I wanted to. And I don't. I have a feeling that's not going to change for a ridiculously long time."

It scares me to say something so extreme, but he seems like he needs the reassurance. Lie I decided before, I need to start doing some sacrificing for him. He deserves at least a statement like that when he's done so much for me.

Harry eyes search mine for a few minutes and I wait for him to realize that I'm telling the absolute truth. His eyes close briefly and I lean my forehead against his. He's so insecure and I am the reason. I don't like that.

"Thank you," he breathes. "I needed to hear that."

"Good." I lean forward and press my lips to his. The kiss is short but sweet and communicates further in how much I care for this man. He smiles up at me when I break the kiss and I return it, reaching up and brushing my fingers through his incredibly messy curls.

"I wash, you dry?" I ask, standing and starting to clear the table. He stands as well and follows me to put something in the fridge. Before I can pick up anything else he spins me around and hugs my body close, kissing my passionately and robbing me of oxygen.

"I'll wash," he rasps. He kisses me once more and I smile adoringly at him as we continue to clear the table.

---

"I thought you said Mason was going to meet us here," Kylie says, whining a little.

"Oh get over it, you can spend five minutes apart," I tease. She rolls her eyes and pulls her sunglasses down over her eyes. "Things are good with you guys?"

"Yeah," she sighs. "He's the best boyfriend. I know that's weird for you, but he treats me like a queen. It's amazing."

"He's special alright," I agree. My relationship with Mason has been a little strained as of late, but that doesn't mean that I dislike him or something. I knew the two of them would be happy together.

"Have you guys been fighting about something? He seems angry about something," she asks. We stop in front of one of the food vendors and she gets a bottle of water.

"Umm..not really." My phone buzzes and I see Harry's name across my screen. I answer it hesitantly. "Uhh...hi? Why are you calling me?"

He chuckles. "Just wanted to see what you're up to."

"Well we thought it was a little too cool for the beach so we're just at the boardwalk," I explain nervously. Kylie gives me a questioning look and I hold one finger up to her before turning and taking one step away. "Why are you calling me? I'm with Kylie."

"I know, you look cute too."

"What? You're here?"

"Turn around, love."

I do a quick circle and spot him by a hot dog vendor with Liam and Sofia, two carts away from me and Kylie. He waves and I admire his outfit.

"You look so young," I tell him, laughing a little. He's got a faded red and grey plaid shirt on, rolled to above his elbows with a white t-shirt underneath. His jeans are black, as usual, with a rip over one of his knees. What's different today is that he's got a bandana around his head, holding his curly hair away from his face. He laughs and takes the sunglasses off his nose.

"Young enough to be in high school?"

"Almost. You look hot," I say quietly. Kylie comes up and we both hang up, locking eyes for a moment before I look at Kylie.

"Who was that?" she asks.

"Just umm...no one. I wonder where the guys are. Did Mason tell you Carter is sticking around?"

"Yeah, that's crazy. He's so hot, Sav! You should totally go for him."

"Ew, no. That would be so weird." On cue the guys stroll up beside us, Carter and Mason joined by Troy. Things have been a little weird between us, but nothing major.

"Where the hell did you sleep last night?" Carter asks, a smirk on his face to show he's only teasing me. My face flushes all the same and he nudges me. "Come on, tell me!"

"I slept at home," I defend weakly, extremely aware of Troy's presence.

"No you didn't," Kylie steps in.

Great. "It's not a big deal, guys. Just a friend."

"Sure," Carter says, laughing. We all start walking in the direction where Harry is and I nervously lock eyes with Troy. He looks almost sad for a minute before he smiles.

"I'm going to beat you at ring toss," he says confidently. I breathe a sigh of relief and shake my head at him.

"No chance in hell."

"Shit, Savannah!" Kylie squeals, running away from the boys and dragging me a few feet away. "Okay, don't look now but Mr. Styles is right there and he looks so hot! Oh my gosh, I could just die. He's like some sort of badass angel. Do you know what I mean?"

"No," I laugh. "Can I look now?"

She nods and I look to my left, my eyes meeting Harry's. He looks incredible. Effortlessly handsome.

"He's just a god," Kylie continues. "It's so unfair that he's a teacher."

"You're dating my brother, remember?" I snap. Also, he's mine so back off.

"Easy," she laughs. "I'm just pointing it out. He's totally walking over here, oh my goodness. Okay, just act like we're talking."

"We are talking," I laugh.

"About something besides him!" she whisper yells. I just laugh and Harry stops in front of me, looking over his shoulder at Liam before greeting us.

"Hello ladies," he says politely.

"Hi Mr. Styles," Kylie says shyly. He nods at her and slides his hands in his pockets.

"Lovely day, isn't it?" he asks. Is he always this charming? He's not even doing anything and I want to jump him.

"It's great," I agree. He locks eyes with me and I almost melt into a puddle right there.

"Oh hey, Mr. Styles." I jump when the boys come up beside me. Harry's eyes darken slightly when he sees who has joined us. He folds his arms across his chest, muscles bulging. Damn it.

"Boys, what a surprise," he says darkly. He looks at me and I bite my lip nervously. I should have just told him they'd be here.

"You look really normal," Mason says. We all look at him and Harry cracks a smile.

"Thanks?" he says.

"I mean, you don't look like a teacher," Mason continues. We all laugh and Harry uncrosses his arms. "What are you doing here?"

"Mason, he's not a prisoner at school," Kylie says. "He has a life, too."

"Just with some friends. I should get back, actually. See you all at school." He nods to the boys and looks at me for a moment as he backs away.

"Does anyone else thing he looks like he should be on the cover of a magazine?" Kylie asks in a dreamy voice. Mason rolls his eyes and tucker her under his shoulder. "Just saying."

"Restrain yourself," he teases, kissing her head.

"I'm having a party tonight," Carter announces. "You guys should all come."

"College party? Hell yeah, we're going," Kylie agrees. Damn it. I want to see Harry.

"I'm not sure," I say. They all look at me like I'm crazy. "What?"

"You never turn down a party," Troy says. I shrug. "You're going."

"Troy-"

"I agree," Kylie says. "You've been MIA and it's time for you to hang out with us. You don't have a choice."

Great.

Notes

AH yes i got it done tonight
im tired and need to sleep so i dont have a lot to say other than im thinking the party may be a bit of a shit show ;)

as usual, comment, rate and subscribe :) thanks guys.

sorry i didn't update for so long. ill try not to do that anymore!
xx